Universal coupling.



N0. 892,558. PATENTED JULY 7, 1908;

F. W. SMITH.

UNIVERSAL COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31 1907 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

FREDERICK W. SMITH, OF ELLSWORTH, MICHIGAN.

UNIVERSAL COUPLING.

T 0 all 'uihom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK WV. SMITH, citizen of the United States,residing at Ellsworth, in the county of Antrim and State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Im provements in Universal Couplings, ofwhich the following is a specification:

h ly invention pertains to universal couplings and it contemplates theprovision of a simple, efficient and durable coupling designed moreparticularly for use in the propeller shafts of boats.

The invention will be fully understood from the following descriptionand claim when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,forming part of this s peeification, in which-:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a propeller shaft embodying my noveluniversal joint. Fig. 2 is an enlarged. transverse section of thecoupling taken through the trunnions and the anti-friction rollers ofthe ball comprised in the coupling, and: Fig. 3 is an enlarged,longitudinal-central section of the coupling.

Similar letters designate corresponding parts in all of the Views of thedrawings, re-

ferring to which:

A is the rear section of the propeller shaft of a boat. B is avertically adjustable bearing through which the said section extends;.

and C is the forward section of the shaft. The section A terminates atits forward end in a ball D, and in this ball is diametrically arrangeda pin E which extends from opposite sides of the ball to form trunnionsF and is provided on said trunnions with anti-friction rollers G,retained in position by washers H and nuts I. The section C terminatesat its rear end in a socket J of a size and shape to receive and holdthe ball I), as shown.

This socket J comprises a body portion a formed integral with or fixedto the shaft section (1 and having a shoulder l) at its forward end, acap 0 arranged on said body portion and abutting at its forward endagainst the shoulder 1) thereof, and bolts (1 extending through andconnecting the cap and the body portion. In the meeting edges of thebody portion a and cap 0 are formed slots 6 in which the trunnions andanti-friction rollers Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 31, 1907.

Patented July 7, 1908.

Serial No. 376,597.

of the ball are arranged and ada ted to move. The openings formed by theslots 6 are, of course, of greater width than the diz'nneter of therollers G.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that my novel universal jointeffects a. strong and durable connection between the shaft section 0 andthe shaft section A, and serves to transmit rotary motion from saidsection C to the section A while permitting of free up and downadjustment of the latter. lt will also be apparentthat the adjustment ofthe section A and the transmission of motion to said section A areattended with but a ruinimum amount of friction, this latter because ofthe interposition of the roller-bearing trunnions between the bodyportion and the cap of the socket J.

While my novel coupling is designed more particularly for use in thepropeller shafts of boats, it may obviously be used to advantage inshafts of other descriptions without involving a departure from thescope of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters-Patent, is:

The combination with a universal oint, of a shaft section terminating ina ball and having trunnions extending in opposite directions from saidball, washers on the trunnions anti-friction rollers mounted on thetrunnions at the inner sides of the washers, and nuts on the trunnionsfor holding the washers and rollers in place and a shaft sectionterminating in a socket receiving and holding the ball; the said socketcomprising a body portion having a shoulder and a cap bolted to the bodyportion and abutting against the shoulder thereof, and having slotsformed between the meetingedges of the body portion and cap andreceiving the anti-friction rollers on the trunnions of the ball.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

FREDE RICK W. SMTT l'l.

WVitnesses:

W. A. Boss, E. R. HARRIs.

